Shibuya Startups KK

What Shibuya Startups KK does

Shibuya Startups KK (シブヤスタートアップス株式会社) is a privately-held venture support company founded on February 13, 2023, headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo, with a staff of 1-10. It was established as a public-private partnership with Shibuya City Ward serving as supervisory authority and founding co-investors including Tokyu Corporation, Tokyu Land Corporation, GMO Internet Group, CyberAgent, UNITED, and Global Trust Networks, under the explicit mandate to rebuild Shibuya as a hub for entrepreneurship and to support global early-stage startups tackling Japan's social challenges.

The company operates UP by Shibuya Startup Support, a community platform and membership program that accepts applications from entrepreneurs worldwide on an ongoing basis across verticals including AI, aging society solutions, creator economy/fandom, robotics, EdTech, disaster prevention, and environmental sustainability. The platform is delivered through an integrated stack of four interconnected programs: the UP community itself (member selection, networking, ongoing support); Shibuya Startup Support (business setup including visa acquisition, office space, bank account, and legal/accounting services); Innovation for New Normal (proof-of-concept testbed with Shibuya City); and Shibuya Startup Deck (corporate-startup partnership facilitation). The inaugural August 2023 cohort selected 11 startups; named community members include Butlr (privacy-focused spatial intelligence sensors) and Flickplay (AR/entertainment).

Revenue mechanics are not explicitly disclosed. The company appears to be funded through its strategic investor syndicate rather than direct monetization of member startups — the UP community is described as a free membership program, and no pricing model, ARR, or per-startup fees are published. GTM is community-led, driven by applications, content marketing via a note.com blog, PR through PR Times press distribution, events and seminars (including a former Stripe COO speaker event and Shibuya Hachiko University startup courses), and an official LinkedIn presence. Headcount, revenue figures, subsequent funding round sizes, and per-member equity arrangements are not disclosed in available materials.

Name

Shibuya Startups KK

Legal name

シブヤスタートアップス株式会社

Website

https://upshibuya.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Shibuya Startups KK operates UP by Shibuya Startup Support, a public-private community platform founded in 2023 to help global early-stage startups enter the Japanese market, leveraging Shibuya City government resources and a syndicate of major Japanese corporate investors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Incubation Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Entrepreneurship Foundations & Startup Basics (EDAMAHAA)

Keywords

• Startup support services
• Startup community program
• Market entry support
• Corporate partnership facilitation
• Innovation ecosystem

Headquarters

HQ city

Shiba

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Startup Support Services: Revenue model is not explicitly disclosed. The company appears to be funded through investment from strategic partners (Shibuya City, Tokyu Corporation, Tokyu Land Corporation, GMO Internet Group, CyberAgent, UNITED, and Global Trust Networks) rather than direct revenue from startups. As a venture-backed support organization, the company likely generates value through ecosystem development, GTM support services, and network effects rather than direct monetization.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Shibuya Startups KK operates a startup support ecosystem based in Shibuya, Tokyo, providing end-to-end services for global early-stage entrepreneurs entering the Japanese market. Its flagship offering, the "UP by Shibuya Startup Support" community program, connects member startups with corporate partners and delivers support across POC development, business development/GTM strategy, talent recruitment, PR, and visa acquisition.

Product overview

Shibuya Startups KK operates UP by Shibuya Startup Support, a unified community platform for global early-stage startups focused on Japan's social challenges. The company provides support through three interconnected programs: the core UP community platform (which accepts applications from global entrepreneurs), the Shibuya Startup Support program (offering visa assistance, office space, bank account setup, and legal/accounting services), and the Shibuya Startup Deck (facilitating partnerships and collaborations). Additionally, the Innovation for New Normal initiative focuses on proof-of-concept development. These offerings are delivered as an integrated ecosystem rather than standalone modules, with Shibuya City providing administrative oversight and strategic resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• UP by Shibuya Startup Support: スタートアップコミュニティプログラム。渋谷区と連携し、ポク、パートナーシップ、GTM戦略、人材紹介、PR、ビザ発給等の支援を提供。

Products and services

• UP by Shibuya Startup Support A community-based membership program for early-stage startups, offering POC development support, introductions to corporate partners, GTM strategy advice, recruitment support, PR assistance, and visa acquisition guidance.
• Shibuya Startup Deck A partnership facilitation mechanism that connects member startups with major Japanese corporations for collaboration, business matching, and POC opportunities across sectors.
• Innovation for New Normal A POC development program partnering with Shibuya City and corporate backers to test innovative solutions addressing social challenges in areas such as AI, aging society, creator economy, robotics, education, environment, and disaster prevention.

Named customers2 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Plug and Play Japan: Global accelerator with a major Japan platform that runs multi-sector startup programs with corporate partners, offering market entry, partnerships, and GTM support to global startups — directly comparable to Shibuya Startups' corporate-backed accelerator model.
• Antler Japan: Early-stage global VC and accelerator with a dedicated Japan presence that recruits founders worldwide and supports Japan market entry, GTM, and fundraising — directly comparable in target audience and pre-seed/seed focus.

Broad incumbents

• Techstars: Global accelerator network running programs for early-stage startups with corporate partners; competes for the same inbound global founders and corporate co-investment dollars, though at much larger scale and without city-government backing.
• Microsoft for Startups (Japan): Enterprise software giant's global startup program providing cloud credits, technical support, and market access to early-stage companies including a Japan presence; comparable as a deep-pocketed alternative for inbound founders.
• Startupbootcamp (SBC): Global accelerator network with multiple vertical programs and corporate partnerships; competes for the same corporate-sponsored accelerator sponsorship model that defines Shibuya Startups.
• Google for Startups (Japan): Big-tech startup program offering mentorship, credits, and global network to founders including in Japan; comparable as a free, ecosystem-based startup support offering though without Japan-specific municipal infrastructure.
• 500 Global (Japan): Global VC/accelerator with active Japan programs focused on early-stage startups from emerging markets; comparable mission of bridging global founders into Japan but operates without a municipal-government partner.

Regional players

• Samurai Incubate: Japan-based seed accelerator supporting global founders entering Japan with programs, mentorship, and capital; directly comparable in target segment and Japan market-entry focus.
• JETRO Startup (Japan External Trade Organization): Japanese government-affiliated program that supports foreign startups entering Japan with similar services (visa, office, partnerships); the closest direct public-sector comparator and potential partner or competitor for inbound founders.

Others

• Deloitte Tohmatsu Venture Support: Big-4 advisory arm providing business setup, accounting, and GTM consulting to foreign companies entering Japan; comparable as an enablement layer for the same inbound founder segment, though delivered as paid services rather than a free community program.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shibuya-startups-kk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Shibuya Startups KK